Good to meet with Lumo to discuss sustainability, support for local businesses and the future of train services in our region as the Railways Bill passes through Parliament.

I spoke to GB News about Labour’s plan to put money back into people’s pockets to help businesses and communities thrive 💫

I welcome that the inquiry into grooming gangs will be lead by Anne Longfield, a strong campaigner for children’s rights. The victims and survivors of this abhorrent abuse deserve answers, justice to be served and lessons learned.

At Public Accounts Committee today, I asked senior civil servants about home to school transport: 📚 How they ensure that children who need support the most get it. 🥣 How they will ensure that children can get to breakfast clubs. 🚐 The future of home to school transport.

It’s unbelievable that hard-working families in Newcastle North pay more council tax than Mayfair’s multi-millionaires. That’s why I called on the Treasury to go further on council tax reform in my Budget response👇 www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/council-tax-bands/

With the two-child limit scrapped, energy bills down, and much more, this Budget is good news for Newcastle North. I welcome the Budget, but have also asked the Government to go further👇 www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/budget-to-boost-living-standards-for-those-living-in-the-north-east/

I spoke to ITV Tyne Tees about the need for SEND reform for children and families in the North East. The Government must get on with reforming this adversarial system, and improving outcomes for the children who need it the most.

Great to visit Kenton School to hear about their work alongside the Government’s RISE support - ensuring that every child has the best start in life. I also met some of the students on the school’s Aspire programme, ensuring education is accessible and engaging for all 🙌

Great to see schools benefiting from new solar panels in the North East ☀️ Delighted that Benton Dene Primary School and Gosforth Academy – two fantastic local schools – will receive funding from Great British Energy.

Lovely to visit Newcastle’s beloved Maggie’s centre to join their weekly Men’s Support Group. Good to discuss a whole range of topics over sausage rolls! If you’re affected by cancer, you’re not alone. Find support at the Maggie’s centre here: www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-newcastle/

Lovely to meet the staff and students at Newcastle Bridges School in Kenton. It was good to discuss the challenges of SEND education in the North East, and how I might be able to support NBS and others going forward.

If you’ve ever signed, shared, or started a petition, our latest episode of Parliament Matters is for you. 10 years of House of Commons petitions by the people who’ve chaired it: @cmckinnellmp.bsky.social, @catsmithmp.bsky.social, @jamie4north.bsky.social 🎧 Listen buff.ly/DtFCEsn

This Armistice Day, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we honour the brave service of those in defence of our freedom. I placed a cross in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in memory of those from Newcastle North who have given their lives. Lest we forget.

This Remembrance Sunday, I remembered the brave service and sacrifice of those in both Newcastle and North Tyneside. It is always an honour and a privilege to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we have today.

Great to catch up with Anne Reece, Chair of the Reece Foundation, about plans to revitalise the Ouseburn. The project will connect communities with nature, improve water-quality and preserve local heritage. Excited to work with Anne & others to make this vision a reality.

Fantastic to be able to recognise small businesses at Number 11 with the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.   Proud to showcase Long Friday/Cook House - with two restaurants & a bar in the works, Anna Hedworth spoke to the Chancellor about the opportunities for growth in our region 💪

My statement on the events over the weekend.

The Renters’ Rights Act is good news for many in Newcastle North: ❌ Abolishes Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions 🏠 Applies Awaab’s Law to ensure homes are safe 🐶 Strengthens rights to request a pet in a property www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/new-rights-secured-for-renters-in-newcastle/

Pleased to be joining the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament. The Committee plays an important role in scrutinising how public money is spent, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.

Inspiring visit to the Great North Air Ambulance Service to hear about how they respond to the most severe medical cases across the North 🚁 Find out more about how you can support: www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk

Really informative roundtable with the Catholic Bishops’ of England and Wales to discuss how we can work together to eradicate child poverty. No child should grow up in poverty, and the Government must do everything it can to improve the life chances for young people.

End of life care is an issue close to my heart. I’m so grateful for the first-hand support that I’ve seen for people in Newcastle from St Oswald’s Hospice. I met with Hospice UK to discuss their work, and find out more about the Government’s £100m investment to upgrade facilities.

It was a privilege to officially open Great Park Academy after many years of supporting them to get to this day! In the ceremony, the talented choir sang ‘A Million Dreams’. I know that this school will be a place where many dreams are inspired🌟

Good to chat to Times Radio about the upcoming budget, the cost of living and the economy. Businesses and households need confidence that we are moving in the right direction, investing in public services whilst unlocking growth and improving living standards.

Delighted to attend Parkrun’s 21st birthday celebrations in Parliament with @stephanie-peacock.bsky.social and Nick Smith MP 🎉 Find your local run or walk here (everyone’s welcome!): www.parkrun.org.uk

It’s so important for children to experience reading in an enjoyable way. I spoke to BBC Politics North about how Labour’s plan to ensure every primary school has a library will boost our children’s life chances 📚

Carers are the unsung heroes of our society 🦸 I visited Newcastle Carers to hear about their incredible support for carers in the city - and find out what I can do to support them as a local MP.

I joined Baroness Ruth Anderson to visit Sir Robert Francis and the team at the IBCA in Newcastle North. The IBCA is responsible for paying compensation to those affected by the infected blood scandal. It was clear how committed the Newcastle based team are to fulfilling justice.

Busy time at #Lab25 conference in Liverpool, meeting with charities and organisations, which many constituents invited me to visit, to hear more about the work they do.

Devastating news on what is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar - my thoughts and prayers are with the community. We must do all we can to root out anti-Jewish hatred in our society and ensure the security of the Jewish community.

Millions more appointments in the NHS. 30 hours free childcare. More breakfast clubs for kids. Labour is already delivering change in our communities. But we need to go further and faster - so people can really feel the benefits of that change, especially in their pockets.

Chatted to @sophyridge.bsky.social about how people need to know that the Government is listening to them, on their side, and ready to deliver. #lab25

Labour are expanding Youth Hubs across the UK to ensure that every young person is set up for working life. Find out more: www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/government-providing-more-support-for-young-people-in-the-north-east/

Good to meet with the team at Newcastle Carers to discuss their work to support carers in Newcastle. Caring for others shouldn’t leave people facing poverty and crisis - Newcastle Carers ensures the support is there when needed.

“I think people need to know we are on their side, that we are speaking for them, that we hear them and take seriously the issues they face in their everyday lives.” Spoke to @danhollandnews.bsky.social on Government, @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social & the Deputy Leadership election👇

The North East will be the first ever AI Growth Zone! 🔨 Thousands of new local jobs 💰 £30bn investment to our region 📈 Huge boost in skills and opportunities

It has truly been an honour to be in the Department for Education fighting every day to improve outcomes for children and schools. I leave knowing that @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social is a brilliant Education Secretary who will continue to deliver.

🚌 The Bus Services Bill will: 👩🏽‍🦱 Put power back into the hands of passengers 📄 Allow local authorities to establish their own bus companies 📣 Give locals a voice on bus routes, timetables and service standards Find out more: www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/big-boost-for-buses-in-newcastle-north/

Evidence shows that high-caffeine energy drinks negatively impact children’s physical and mental health, sleep quality, and educational outcomes. That’s why Labour is working to ban the sale of them to under-16s.

Evidence shows that high-caffeine energy drinks negatively impact children’s physical and mental health, sleep quality, and educational outcomes. That’s why Labour is working to ban the sale of them to under-16s.

Kickstarted my return to the DfE after the summer break by meeting with @ukmusic.bsky.social 🎼 From investing in Music Hubs to developing a National Centre for Arts and Music Education, we are opening up creative opportunities for young people - one beat at a time🥁

We’re back to Parliament after the summer recess, and it’s the first week back to school for many across the nation! Thank you to the families, teachers and support staff who work hard to make sure children and young people are in school and get best start in life 👏

My team and I help around 1,000 people per month with local issues, problems and policy queries. Here’s just one example👇 (P.S. if you live in Newcastle North, you can receive my support too. Simply visit: www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/contact)

Through our Plan for Change, we’re committed to reforming the SEND system to drive better outcomes for all children. I met with a cross-party group of MPs to listen to the challenges they’re facing & ensure the experiences of their local families are at the heart of our reforms.

Out on the doorstep in Sandyford with Rachel Reeves, Kim McGuinness, Susan Dungworth and Alex Hay chatting to residents about Labour’s Plan for Change 💪 Great support for Labour’s Owen Bell in the upcoming South Jesmond by-election on August 14th

How is Labour cleaning up our water? 
✂️Pledged to cut sewage pollution in half by 2030 
🌊Banned unfair bonuses for water companies that don’t meet high standards
 🩷Reinvesting water company fines into local clean-up projects 
www.catherinemckinnellmp.co.uk/cleaning-up-our-waterways/

I was pleased to host the Community Foundation North East in Parliament, celebrating the important work that they do in our region. The North East is known for its generosity - the Foundation builds on this by bringing together local organisations & providing grants to help our communities thrive 🙌

As Minister for School Standards, I've listened to families concerned about the broken SEND system that we inherited. From investing £1bn in the high needs budget to launching Inclusion 2028, we're working to ensure all children get the support they need to succeed at school.

So nice to visit The Owl Tree – a fantastic community facility for families of younger children in Coxlodge. As a not-for-profit, the café focuses on supporting parenting and creating a fun and safe space for children (and their grown ups!) to play.